African Journal of Science, Technology and Social Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Green gold: refining crude Miraa (Catha edulis) into a real green gold","authors":"J. Arimi","doi":"10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.26","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.26","url":null,"abstract":"Miraa (Catha edulis) is a very lucrative psychoactive crop for the farmers in lower parts of Meru county and Embu county. However, its handling is unhygienic and it’s a perishable crop. Withering and drying leads to conversion of the stimulating compound; cathinone to a less stimulating compound; cathine. Therefore, it has to be transported to the market within the shortest time possible. This has led to culture of high speed driving of miraa delivery pick-ups and lorries. This is both unsafe to the miraa transporters as well as other road users leading to high records of fatal road accidents. Once in the market, the twigs are chewed raw without any value addition. This form of presentation and chewing makes it look unaesthetic, archaic and primitive. The objective of this study was to determine microbial load and evaluate the possibility of extending the shelf-life and development of various processed products from miraa while retaining the active ingredients.  The miraa twigs for all the studies were purchased from the local vendors in Meru. Microbial load of miraa from different miraa vending points around Meru town, these are; Nchiru, Kianjai, Ruiri, Makutano and Meru town was studied. Shelf-life of miraa was studied by storing miraa at ambient temperature, refrigerated conditions (4-8 °C) and humidity chamber. Weight loss and total phenolic compounds were monitored. Miraa was processed into unflavoured and flavoured infusion bags. Miraa sourced from Meru town exhibited the highest microbial load compared to the other vending points. This is associated to environmental contaminants and high number of handlers. Miraa stored at ambient temperature exhibited the highest weight loss and reduction in total phenolic compounds while that stored in humidity chamber showed the lowest weight loss and highest retention of phenolic compounds after 72 hours. Consumer tests preferred miraa infusion bags as hygienic with moderate stimulation effects. The results showed that it’s possible to store miraa for up to 72 hours and to prepare miraa infusion bag with stimulatory effects.  ","PeriodicalId":440319,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Science, Technology and Social Sciences","volume":"31 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121986640","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In the Cultural Mirror: Influence of cultural factors on adoption of sanitation practices in rural areas: A case of Nzaui Sub-County, Makueni County, Kenya.","authors":"Eliud Kasiva, Lilian Mworia, K. Mburugu, Domenic Kiogora","doi":"10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.89","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.89","url":null,"abstract":"Provision of adequate sanitation is among the common approaches of preventing sanitation-related diseases. However, provision of sanitation facilities may not be a sustainable sanitation solution unless the population’s behavior changes and a positive perception is embraced. This paper underlines the influence of cultural factors on adoption of sanitation practices in rural areas. The article is based on field research employing convergent mixed methods research designs where both qualitative and quantitative data was gathered simultaneously. Quantitative data was gathered using structured questionnaires from 100 household heads selected using stratified and proportionate simple random sampling techniques. Qualitative data was collected using interview guides from a purposively selected focus group consisting of 9 participants. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 which generated descriptive and inferential statistics to unveil the relationship between variables. Qualitative data was organized into themes and presented in narratives. From the findings, a unit increase in gender roles would lead to a 0.147 increase in adoption of sanitation practices (p-value=0.000) and a unit increase in traditions would lead to a 0.032 decrease in adoption of sanitation practices (p-value=0.014). From the qualitative findings, some religions associated diarrhea with demons other than poor sanitation which was seen to facilitate adoption of poor sanitation practices. Further, the qualitative findings revealed that faeces left in the open could be used for witchcraft purposes, a tradition which had a positive impact on eradicating open defecation. The study recommends women inclusion in household sanitation matters. The study revealed the need for incorporation of leaders as advocates of sanitation behaviour change. The study also recommends future studies to examine adoption of sanitation practices alongside environmental, demographic and economic factors.","PeriodicalId":440319,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Science, Technology and Social Sciences","volume":"16 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127940104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deep packet analysis firewall model","authors":"Eunice Kailanya, Amos O. Omamo, M. Mwadulo","doi":"10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.62","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.62","url":null,"abstract":"Firewall (software or hardware device that monitors traffic into and out of the network). It can be classified as stateless or stateful. The existing firewalls are only concerned with filtering packets based on the information contained in the header part of every packet. The most improved stateful inspection firewalls have a state table enabling the storage of header information such as source address, destination address, port, connection status and protocol.  Consequently, existing firewalls can be compared to only reading the book tittle and foregoing other essential activities such as evaluating the content of the book. The proposed Deep packet analysis firewall model, not only evaluated the header content of a packet but also open and examines the content in a packet in order to detect and block any threats. In addition, the proposed model will be analyzing the actual content of the traffic that is flowing through packet as opposed to existing firewall which only focuses on analyzing the header content. The model will also locate, detect, categorize, block, or reroute packets having certain data payload and specific codes that are not located, detected, categorized, blocked or redirected by existing firewall. Therefore, deep packet analysis firewall model is a feasible approach to overcome challenges faced in cyberspace today. The proposed Deep packet analysis firewall model will use mixed research method. Quantitative method will include obtaining data from the peer reviewed academic articles in the area of study. Quantitative method will also entail using a simulation by feeding quantitative data into the model to produce quantitative results. Finally, qualitative method will include conducting interviews and use of questionnaires","PeriodicalId":440319,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Science, Technology and Social Sciences","volume":"38 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115862789","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Online or not? The future of teaching science and research in Africa - case study, Kenya.","authors":"Phillis Mutheu Mbinda","doi":"10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.57","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.57","url":null,"abstract":"The year 2020 forced the whole world to examine its working processes and systems and Sectors. One of the most affected systems was the Educational Sector. This is the most pivotal system which is key to the future of nations and survival of the human race. Africa which has 54 sovereign countries with differing economic status and economies was not spared. Comparative to the developing world, most African countries pre the Covid-19 outbreak, the education sector especially science and research called for stringent and important actions to upgrade to international standards. The closure of schools and institutions of tertiary educations following the pandemic disrupted and threw the sector into disarray. The educators were brought into an abrupt apprehension of the importance and relevance of the internet to the educational sector. But, are the systems in place? This is a process that has many connecting dots and joints which must work hand in hand for the Technological Age at hand for the African Continent.","PeriodicalId":440319,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Science, Technology and Social Sciences","volume":"475 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115204534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Machine learning in software security testing: a literature survey","authors":"Emily G Murerwa, S. Munialo, M. Mwadulo","doi":"10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.63","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.63","url":null,"abstract":"As the use of software systems permeate diverse areas of the society, there is a need to ensure that not only does the software provide the needed functionality but it is also of high security, providing confidentiality, integrity and availability of the underlying data. Software security testing is one among the approaches towards detecting vulnerabilities and flaws in software which contribute to software insecurity. As machine learning finds success in other areas of computing, it has also gained interest in the field of software security testing. A review of the application of various machine learning techniques, including current trends in software security testing is of high value both to research and practice. This research provides an overview of how machine learning has been applied in software security testing and especially in the different phases of the testing cycle.  Basic and recent developments of machine learning application in static analysis testing, dynamic analysis testing, symbolic execution and fuzz testing are discussed. The research followed a literature survey approach where existing literature on the subject were reviewed. A comparative performance of various machine learning techniques in the different phases of security testing is provided.","PeriodicalId":440319,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Science, Technology and Social Sciences","volume":"50 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127036988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ideological features in Kenya Supreme Court judgments","authors":"Elijah Chege Ndumia, H. K. Ireri, C. Atieno","doi":"10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.43","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.43","url":null,"abstract":"Legal discourse is characterised by unique grammatical, lexical and stylistic features which are meant to enhance clarity and precision in the legal content. However, from a critical perspective, some of the discursive and stylistic features used alienate the common person and elevate judges and lawyers to an ideological pedestal. This study undertook a Critical Discourse Analysis of Kenya Supreme Court judgements on election petitions and civil cases with a view to investigate the discursive features used to represent legal ideology. The study was guided by Critical Discourse Analysis theory and a qualitative research design was used. The population for this study comprised the judgements made by the Kenya Supreme Court since its inception in 2010. Purposive sampling was used to identify five judgements on election petitions and civil cases. Guided by the CDA theory, features representing legal ideology were explored and discussed. The features include use of lexical stylistic features, performative verbs, legitimation, presuppositions, argumentation, interrogative forms, metaphors, precedence and predication. These features were meant to create precision and authority in the Supreme Court judgements. However, from a critical perspective, it was imminent that the features led to elevation of judges and lawyers as custodians of justice while the ordinary person was excluded from the legal process. The insight from this study is applicable to Forensic Linguistics and legal drafting. Judges and lawyers ought to use language in such a way that the common person is not excluded. Technical terminology should be used when necessary more so in contexts that involve only the legal personnel. In legal contexts that involves the ordinary person, plain language should be used.","PeriodicalId":440319,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Science, Technology and Social Sciences","volume":"51 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128020477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Promoting innovations in SMEs - findings from Kenya","authors":"Rintaugu Gatobu","doi":"10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.95","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.95","url":null,"abstract":"This paper looks closely at the relationship existing between entrepreneurial activity, innovations and the development of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Most SMEs result from implementing the entrepreneurial spirit, through which the entrepreneurs’ activity which is conducted in different domains. One of the most important aspect is the innovation in SMEs as an indicator of the entrepreneurial activity, on the one hand and as a contributor to the organization’s performance, on the other hand. This study therefore analyses the SMEs innovation activity over a period of time as an indication of entrepreneurship evolvement and manifested in Kenya as an East African country that integrated relatively recently into the East African Community Common market (EAC). The paper envisages looking at how innovations in SMEs from Kenya have evolved in the period 2010 to date. The innovative activities in SMEs are examined from a dynamic perspective and the analysis is based on the study of a number of aspects related to innovations, such as: types of innovative activities, investments in innovations, the intensity of renewing the existing products, the use of IT, the use of the Internet, etc. Based on these findings, the paper attempts to characterize the innovative activities in Kenyan SMEs and their evolution in time with emphasis on the recent times.","PeriodicalId":440319,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Science, Technology and Social Sciences","volume":"148 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124137097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microresearch","authors":"R. Bortolussi","doi":"10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.22","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: (a) to show that investment in research is an extremely wise move for any country, (b) to illustrate how research influences health decisions, and (c) to illustrate pathways in the “decolonization” of research in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). \u0000As shown by data compiled by UNESCO (Figure), the Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) as percent of national GDP greatly enriches its citizens (it’s an investment). For example, the Netherlands (NL), a country with few natural resources, invests heavily in research and has achieved a high level of prosperity for its citizens. Economists concluded that research is an essential investment for a country’s prosperity! \u0000The decision-making process by any government is a complex process influenced by budgetary, political, legislated, and other considerations. The importance of “embeddedness” in this process was identified by Koon et-al. who showed that ministerial decisions on health are primarily influenced by people who have a reputation for research and work within the local system. This phenomenon is seen in both rich and poor countries; people who know and understand the culture and context of a country are key influencers on the decision process. \u0000The challenges of LMIC to develop capacity in research was the topic of a UNESCO conference in Bamako Mali in 2008. Ministers-of-health from LMICs realized that research is critical in any decision process to ensure “evidence-informed” policy decisions. Their “Call to Action” recognized an essential need to build community-based research capacity to ensure health agendas would be decided by national needs informed by their own researchers. \u0000The pathway to decolonization began anew in 1976 with the introduction of Microfinance offering startup funding, capacity-development, and coaching for local people with entrepreneurial ambition. Like Microfinance, MicroResearch (MR) is an innovative, capacity building, community-focused program, empowering local health researchers to improve health in their communities. Conceived in 2008 MR puts local research teams firmly in the driver’s seat from question selection, proposal development to knowledge translation. As of 2022: \u0000 \u000019 partner institutions in 8 countries \u0000Over 40 two-week training workshops \u00001,250 health workers and professionals trained \u0000 \u0000Including >300 doctors, >200 nurses and 600 other professions \u0000 \u0000 \u0000126 MR teams have launched research projects (over 50 completed) \u0000Over 50 PubMed publications and/or policy changes \u0000Thousands of lives saved as a result of MR research-initiated changes \u0000MR training programs have been incorporated into local institutes \u0000 \u0000MR has shown that high-quality research can be achieved locally when supported by training, coaching and access to small grants. MR decolonizes and democratizes research in LMIC.","PeriodicalId":440319,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Science, Technology and Social Sciences","volume":"30 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114875920","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pervasiveness of child sexual abuse in Kisii county during the Covid-19 pandemic","authors":"Justine Orucho","doi":"10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.102","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.102","url":null,"abstract":"Child sexual abuse (CSA) is both a social and public health concern locally and globally. A mutual mistaken belief on child sexual abuse is that, it is uncommon occurrence committed against girls by male strangers in both rural and urban areas in Kenya. Notwithstanding myriad research on CSA, little is known about its Pervasiveness. It occurs at all levels of the society affecting not only girls but also boys. The purpose of this study therefore was to investigate the pervasiveness rate of child sexual abuse among pupils during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 plague is a international historic incident that will remain to affect approximately every facet of ordinary life, including affecting our economic, political, and healthcare eco-systems. The study was informed by the Attachment Theory which suggests that children’s lives are centered initially on their parents, the family environment being their primary agent of socialization. Systematic random sampling was used to select the respondents to ensure that the sample was a representative. The study utilized descriptive survey design. The study population was 700 pupils out of which a sample size of 100 (14 percent) pupils was selected. The study used questionnaires administered to each respondent. The researcher administered the questionnaires individually to all respondents. The study found out that threats from perpetrators were preventing the disclosure of child sexual abuse. The research recommends that research, programs and policies should focus on child protection. The patriarchal narrative of manhood needs to change and boys should read from a different script on their roles and place in the society. ","PeriodicalId":440319,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Science, Technology and Social Sciences","volume":"7 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133533726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Psycho-social support to children infested by jigger in Kisii county: social work perspective","authors":"Justine Orucho, Faith Olita, Kimberly Otieno, Esther K Njeru","doi":"10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.103","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58506/ajstss.v1i1.103","url":null,"abstract":"Social workers are key professionals in assessing social care need and providing psychosocial support. Nonetheless the needs in jigger infiltration containment and control are not well managed. Tungiasis is both a social and public health concern worldwide. It affects the victim’s quality of life through localization in the foot causing walking difficulties that reduce the normalcy of the infested child. Both social and psychological problems such as low self-esteem and stigma has been identified among the children infested with jiggers. The purpose of this study therefore was to investigate the role of a social worker in the prevention of jigger infestation among children in Kisii County. The study utilized descriptive survey design. The sample size was 50 pupils, 50 parents,20 Key Informants and 20 practicing Social workers. The findings of the study reveal that in order to mitigate Tungiasis, the risk factors that contribute to their spread such as poverty, poor hygiene conditions, area sanitization, inadequate health facilities, sharing houses with domesticated animals, political negligence and controlled number of children in families should be addressed. social work practitioners should engage with children to assess challenges in social functioning, process information in ways that enhance their ability to maintain body hygiene, develop skills to curb tungiasis and create support for change. The study recommends a change of behaviour in the community and the superstitions perception on the causes of Tungiasis.","PeriodicalId":440319,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Science, Technology and Social Sciences","volume":"43 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130342953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}